Fast-tracking the implementation of Africa’s Development Agenda

NEPAD Agency, now with a footprint in 52 of the 55 African Union Member States, adopted a results-based approach and aligned its interventions to the First Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 - African Union’s long-term vision and strategic framework for socio-economic transformation of the continent. Accordingly, the 2017 Annual Report that the Agency has released is results based, giving an account of the NEPAD Agency’s contribution to Agenda 2063.

The results of the NEPAD Agency’s contribution to Agenda 2063 for the year 2017 are presented at continental, regional and national levels. To this end, the 2017 report provides some insights into the possible strategic impact areas of the transformed Agency, namely: Wealth Creation, Shared Prosperity, Transformative Capacities and Sustainable Environment.

At continental level, the Agency’s 2017 results in the area of revolution and entrepreneurship include the application of gene drives for eliminating malaria; the application of drone technology for agriculture and food security; and the promotion of micro-grids for expanding Africa’s access to energy. In the area of sustainability and resilience capacity, results include contribution to Africa’s unified position in global conventions on climate change and environmental resilience that was strengthened.

With regards improved health and nutrition services, some of the achievements include a draft treaty for establishing the African Medicines Agency that was prepared to ensure the supply of safe and effective medicines in Africa. Results towards transformed agriculture and food systems include the blueprint that was produced to implement rural development policies in Africa, as well as the Inaugural Biennial Report, which highlights progress made on commitments enshrined in the Malabo Declaration.

The year 2017 marks the end of the strategic plan cycle that spans 2014 to 2017. It also heralds the medium term development plan, 2018 – 2023, aligned to Agenda 2063’s First Ten Year Implementation Plan. The annual report also comes at a time when preparations are concluding for transforming the NEPAD Agency into the African Union Development Agency, with greater scope for action and capacity.